The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-19

fore You some OF the rccrcations which are
not only innocent, but positively helpful
and advantageous
In the first place, commend, among
indoor recreaiions, music--vocal and in
strumental. Among the iirst things cre-
ated was the bird, so that the earth might
have music at the start This world, which
began with so sweet n sercnadc, is finally
to be demolished amidst the ringing blast
OF the archangels trumpet, othat rs there
was music at the start there will be music
at the close. While this heavenly art has
often been dragged into the uses OF super
stition and dissipation, we all know il may
be the means of high moral culture. Oh,
IL is grand thing TO have our children
brought up amidst the sound of cultured
voices and amidst the melody of musical
instruments There is in this art an inde-
scribable fascination for the household.
Let all those families who have means TO
allord II have flute or harp, or piano
or organ. As soon as the hand is
large enough TO compass the keys teach il
how TO pick out the melody. Let all our
young men try this heavenly art upon
their nature. Those who have gone into
il fully have found in il illimitable recroa.
ton and amusement Dark days, stormy
nights, seasons of sickness, business dis
asters, will do little toward depressing the
soul which can gallop off over musical
keys, or soar in jubilant lay. 1t
will cure pain. IL will rest
fatigue. II will quell passion. 1t will re-
yive health, 1t will reclaim dissipation.
II will strengthen the immortal soul. In
the battle OF Waterloo Wellington saw
that the Ilighlandcrs were falling back.
lie said: what is the matter thercP lie
was told that the band Of music had ceased
playing, and he called up the pipes and
ordered them 10 strike up an inspiring air;
and no sooner did they strike the air than
the llighlanders were rallied, and helped
TO win the day. Oh, ye who have been
routed in the conflicts Of life, try by the
force oi music TO rally your scattered bat
talions.
81 am glad to know that in our great
cities there is hardly a night in which
there are not concerts, where, with the
best musical instruments and the sweetest
voices, people may find entertainment.
Patronize such entertainments when they
are afforded you. Buy season tickets, II
you can, for the Philharmonic and the
Handel and lladyn societies. Feel that
the 81 30 or s. that you spend for the pur-
pose OF hearing an artist play or sing is a
profitable investment Let your Steinway
halls and your academies OF music roar
with the acclamation Of apprcciative au-
dicnccs assembled at the concert or the
oratOriO.
"Still further commend, rs worthy
OF their support the gymnasium. This
institution is gaining in favor every year,
and know OF nothing more free from dis
sipation, or more calculated 10 recuperate
the physical and mental energies. While
there are q good many people who have
employed this institution, there is vast
number who are ignorant OF its excelen.
cies. There are men with cramped chests
and weak sides and respondent spirits
who through the gymnasium might be
reused up to cXuberance and exhilamtion
OF life. There are many chris
tian people despondent from year
10 year, who might, through such
an institution, be benefited in
their spiritual relations. There are chris
tian people who seem 10 think that IL is
good sign 20 be poorly and because Rich
ard Baxter and Robert Hall were invalids.
they think that by the same sickliness
! they may come 20 the same grandeur OF
! character. | want 10 tell the christian
|
hold you responsible for your invalidism
II il Is your fault, and when through right
exercise and prudence you might be ath-
letic and we'll. The effect oil the body
upon the soul yOu acknowledges. Put a
man OF mild disposition upon the animal
diet oi which the Indian partakes, and in
n little while his blood will change It's
chemical proportions. II will become
like unto the blood OF the lion, or the
tiger, or the bear, while his disposition
will change, and become fierce, cruel and
unrelcnting. The body has powerful Of
feet upon the soul.
There are good people whose idcns OF
heaven are all shut ont with clouds Of
tobacco smoke. There arc people who
dare 10 shatter the physical vase in which
God has put the jewel of eternity. There
are men with great hearts and intcllecis in
bodies worn out by their own neglccts-
magnificent machinery capable OF propcll-
ING Great Eastern across the Atlantic,
vet fastened in a rickciy North river pro-
pclcr. Martin Luther was 80 mighty for
tod, first, because he had noble soul,
hnd secondly, because he had q muscular
development which would have enabled
him 10 thrash any five OF his prosecutors.
ical development which merely shows
itself in fabulous lifting or in pcrlous
rope-walking, or in pugistic encounter
cxCites only our contempt; but We profess
10 great admiration for the man who has
gzat soul in an athletic body, every
nerve. muscle and bone OF which i
consccatcd 20 right uses. Oh,
it seems 20 I.c outrageous that
men. through neglect, should allow their
physical health 10 go down beyond repair
4 ship which ought, with every sail set
and every man at his post 10 be- carrying
rich cargo for eternity, employing all It's
men in stopping up lcakagcsl When You
may, through the gymnasium, work of
your spleen and your qucnl0nsncss and
one chnlf OF your physical and mental
ailments, DO not turn your back upon such
q grand modcament.
"Still further: | commend 10 You n
large class OF parlor games aud rccrcations
There is a way OF making our homes d
hundWdfOld moro attractive than they are
now Those parents cannot expect 60
keep their children away from outside die.
sipaiions unless they make the home circle
brighter than anything they can find out
side Of IL. DO not, then, sit IN your home
surly and unsympathetic, and with hall
condcmnatory look, because Of the sport
iulncss Of your children. You were young
once yourself; let your children be- young.
Because your eyes are dim and your ankles
arc slin do not donouncc sportiulncss
in those upon whose eyes there Is the iirst
lustcr, and In whose foot there Is the
bounding Joy Of robust health. l thank
God that in our drawing.rooms and in our
parlors there are innumcmble games aud